Friday, September 27, 2013

Pumpkins For Cathey

Good morning and welcome to a very special post! Today the cross stitching community is honoring a very brave & inspirational fellow cross-stitching blogger and someone I'm proud to call my friend... Cathey, also known to many of us, as "Pumpkin."

When Sharon/Daffycat came up with the idea of a "Pumpkins For Cathey" day, I thought it was brilliant. After all, what other blogging community is as supportive of each other as our cross-stitching family? If you aren't familiar with Cathey (better known as Pumpkin) she blogs at Pumpkin Patch & Co. and today is her blog's 7th anniversary. When you visit her blog, you'll notice her beautiful stitching, her addiction to Cadbury Cream eggs, and her love of bunnies and dachshunds. You'll see many darling photos of her 17-month-old little son--the little sweetheart she has nicknamed "Junior." However, you can't help but also notice her more recent posts on her serious health problems. Cathey is battling cancer and her bravery and desire to live each day to the fullest for herself, her husband and their adorable little son have left all of us humbled and inspired (and many times in tears wishing we could do more).

Sharon, who blogs at It's Daffycat, sent out an email suggesting that we each post something "pumpkin themed" today, September 27, 2013, in support of dear Cathey. So, I immediately set to work in stitching a fun Halloween finish with three of the cutest pumpkin heads I've seen. What makes this such a delightful piece to stitch? Well...

Simply combine one grinning pumpkin

with one frightened pumpkin

and one tiny, baby pumpkin.

Add in a couple of black crows

sitting on a candy corn tree.

Mix in a full moon

and finish it off with a few sage words of Halloween advice!

And what do you end up with?

HALLOWEEN IS IN THE AIR!

I can't remember when I've enjoyed stitching a piece as much as this one. And knowing I was stitching it in honor of Cathey/Pumpkin makes it all the more special. The designer of this chart, All Through the Night, is fast becoming one of my favorites. I used most of the suggested overdyeds (although I did make a couple of minor substitutions when I didn't have the correct colors in my stash) and stitched it on some unknown 40 ct. R&R Reproductions fabric. I bought a lot of 40ct. fabrics on Ebay last year and they weren't labeled with names, but I thought this antiquey-looking fabric was perfect for a Halloween piece. I thought this had a very vintage look to it with the colors and the expressions on both the moon and the little pumpkins. And the candy corn "tree" is just too cute!

All Through the Night's "Halloween Is In the Air"

Speaking of candy corn (and pumpkins!)... here is a simple pumpkin craft for any of you planning a Halloween party or just looking for a quick and easy project to do with your little ones. I love Martha Stewart's ideas, but many of them are simply too time-consuming or take too many materials to make them doable for the average person. When I stumbled upon these little Jack-O'-Lantern Party FavorsI just loved them and thought to myself, "Oh, I wish I had a little one around to make these with!" Well, that didn't stop me--I just made some for myself to hold the contents of the bag of candy corn I recently purchased! They took about five minutes each to put together and this way, perhaps, I'll ration my candy consumption. And, if you want something healthier--they would look almost as cute with nuts or trail mix in the little bags...

To download the pumpkin faces simply go here. I used thick card stock, plastic lunch bags that I cut the tops off, and floral wire (wound around a pencil) to make the curly stems. Martha, of course, covered her wires with brown cloth of some sort to make them look more realistic--I just used the plain dark green floral wire and it looks perfectly fine to me... I think this trio of pumpkins would brighten up any party, don't you? (And I'll bet Junior would love creating these with you, wouldn't he, Cathey?).

MORE PUMPKIN GOODNESS... I was in a pumpkin mood all day yesterday while preparing this post and
thinking of Cathey so I made some of my favorite Pumpkin-Raisin
Muffins. I've been making this recipe for over 30 years--I think it came from the back of a can of Libby's Pumpkin. They are so moist and delicious--a wonderful autumn treat. I've included the recipe below--hope you enjoy them!

Pumpkin-Raisin Muffins

Pumpkin-Raisin Muffin Recipe

1 ¼ cups sugar

¼ cup canola oil

1 egg

½ cup Libby's pumpkin

1 ½ cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

¾ tsp. salt

½ tsp. cinnamon

½ tsp. nutmeg

Combine first four ingredients and beat well.

Combine remaining ingredients.

Add to first mixture.

Stir in ½ cup raisins until smooth.

Fill muffin tins lined with paper cups.

Bake at 370° for 25 minutes.

Makes 12 muffins.

That winds up my "Pumpkins For Cathey" post. I hope it made you smile, Cathey--I think of you so often and I'm sure after reading all of the special posts written in your honor from all over the world today, you'll realize just how very special you are to all of us. Sending a warm hug your way, my friend... And thanks to Sharon for organizing this special event! If you want to see the links to all of the other bloggers participating in "Pumpkins For Cathey" day, please visither blog.

I hope each of you is enjoying the lovely autumn weather that we've been having here in western Pennsylvania--what a delight! And remember to take time to really look around and appreciate the simple things in your life this weekend. Bye for now...

What a wonderfull post for Cathey.I love your stitching piece!!Abnd that recepi, it sounds so wonderfull..never made something else as pumpkin soup..But I love this one!!Cathey will have such a big smile on her face!!her blog feed is looking so wonderfull.I hope it will give her many strength!!

What a cute post Carol! I love the new finish. I don't think I had seen this one before. I've been too busy to find photos to show my support for Cathey. What a crazy time. Thanks for the recipe. I love pumpkin everything! :) I'll have to try it out soon.

How special that you even Carved a Pumpkin in celebration of Cathey's Blogoversary!! Wow! And I really like your Halloween piece, though I don't do Halloween myself. Very very cute! Thanks for joining in this! Hugs!

What a special day for Cathey! Your carved pumpkin is so thoughtful, as is your post, Carol. Your new Halloween piece is darling.Thanks for the link to MS crafts and the recipe. I have to try both :)I hope you are feeling better these days((HUGS))

I love the expressions on the pumpkins and the moon! And I think it would be lovely if candy corn really grew on trees. :) Those little party favors are so cute! Thank you for the recipe - I can't wait to try them, and know I will be thinking of Cathey.

Carol, your wonderful post for Cathey has just touched my heart. I'm full of admiration for her and you just found the right words to express these feelings. And looking at all the pumpkin goodness in your post makes me smile and I'm sure it makes Cathey smile as well.

what a beautiful post here againa wonderful event Daffycat organised and I was very pleased to be part of itI really hope all those pumpkins will put a smile on Cathey's face when she will see themyours are so lovely !! this design you stitched is really beautifulI wish I could taste candy corns a day =)I really never saw or taste any ! didn't even know about their existence =)big hugs sweetie , I'm off to appreciate the simple things in my life this weekend xxxxx

Such a wonderful post Carol for Cathey. Like you, I was thinking a lot of her that day, well everyday! Those little stitched pumpkins are adorable and so are the candy corn holders. Too cute for words! Thanks for the recipe. I'm going to give it a try when I buy some pumpkins :D

You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and very broad for me. I'm looking forward for your next post, I'll try to get the hang of it!

You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and very broad for me. I'm looking forward for your next post, I'll try to get the hang of it!

Hi Carol, I don't know Cathey but have been overwhelmed by the beautiful tribute to her and I am sure it lifted her spirits to know how well she is loved.Your ornament is beautiful. All Through the Night has some great patterns. I am anxious to stitch one of their snowmen! I think I may have to make some of your muffins - they look delicious.

Welcome!

Welcome ~ I'm so glad you've dropped in for a visit! I love getting to know fellow cross stitchers from around the world, discovering new stitching blogs, and being inspired by your work. I hope you enjoy your visit today and thanks for taking the time to say "hello!"Carol